Bulletin for January 1, 2023 Worship Service
January 1, 2023 – Livestream at 11:10 a.m.

GATHERING IN GOD’S NAME

PRELUDE
“Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus” arr. Mark Hayes

SILENT MEDITATION
“God is the only one who can make the valley of trouble a door of hope.” Catherine Marshall

CALL TO WORSHIP
adapted from Psalm 148
Praise the Lord!
Praise the Lord from the Heavens!
Praise the Lord from the Earth!
Praise the Lord, young and old together!
Praise the Lord, for his name alone is exalted!
Let us praise you O Lord, for today we worship the Newborn King!

PRAISE AND ADORATION

*OPENING HYMN
#119 “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” MENDELSSOHN
(*Please stand, if you are able.)

CALL TO CONFESSION

PRAYER OF CONFESSION
God of Light, we celebrate the coming of our Lord and have been wrapped in promises of hope and peace and joy. Yet, we come in confession today knowing that we have not always taken steps to be agents of your peace. Sometimes, we fail to help those most in need or seem oblivious to those in mental and physical pain. Forgive us and help us live into your call on our lives as people truly moved by the birth of the Christ child.

SILENT PRAYERS OF CONFESSION AND PETITION

KYRIE ELEISON
(#121) “O Little Town of Bethlehem” ST. LOUIS
O holy child of Bethlehem, descend to us, we pray; cast out our sin and enter in; be born in us today.
We hear the Christmas angels the great glad tidings tell; O come to us; abide with us, our Lord
Emmanuel!

ASSURANCE OF PARDON

*GLORIA
“Gloria“ GLORIA
Glo—ria in excelsis Deo! Glo—ria in excelsis Deo!

WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

FELLOWSHIP OF PRAYER

JOYS AND CONCERNS

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever. Amen.

ANTHEM
“Cradle Song” Stephen Hill

PROCLAMATION OF GOD’S WORD

OLD TESTAMENT LESSON
Isaiah 63: 7-9 p. 605 of the pew Bible

*HYMN OF PRAISE
#132 “Good Christian Friends, Rejoice” IN DULCI JUBILO

NEW TESTAMENT LESSON
Matthew 2: 13-23 p. 84 of the pew Bible

Pastor: This is the Word of the Lord.
People: Thanks be to God.

SERMON
“When Hope is All We Have” Rev. Dempsey

*THE APOSTLES’ CREED
I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; he descended into hell; the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy catholic Church; the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting. Amen

*SANCTUS
(#569) “Holy, Holy, Holy” SANCTUS (Oliver)

RECEPTION OF TITHES AND OFFERINGS

OFFERTORY
“The Wexford Carol” English carol arr. Mark Hayes

*DOXOLOGY (#607)
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; Praise Christ, all people here below;
Praise Holy Spirit evermore; Praise Triune God, whom we adore. Amen.

*PRAYER OF DEDICATION
Faithful God, we come before you with this offering, and the offering of our lives. Your promises stand unshaken through all generations. Renew us in hope, that we may be awake and alert as we watch for the glorious return of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

*HYMN OF PRAISE
#149 “All Hail to God’s Anointed” ROCKPORT

*CHARGE AND BENEDICTION

*BENEDICTION RESPONSE
“Go, Tell It on the Mountain” GO TELL IT
Go, tell it on the mountain, over the hills and everywhere
Go, tell it on the mountain that Jesus Christ is born!

POSTLUDE
“I Saw Three Ships” arr. Mark Hayes

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